Orthodox Group Rejects “Orthodox” Statement by Shmuly Yanklowitz

The Coalition for Jewish Values today rejected the so-called “Orthodox Statement on Spiritual Resistance,” issued yesterday by 22 people who self-identify as Orthodox clergy, as “unrepresentative of the Orthodox rabbinate or Jewish values.”

Yesterday’s statement was organized by Shmuly Yanklowitz, and presents itself as representing an “Orthodox” viewpoint. It called the current Presidency “an administration that poses a grave threat to our democracy” and exhorted readers to “pursue righteousness” and “challenge oppressive and dangerous policies.”

CJV Senior Rabbinic Fellow Rabbi Aryeh Spero elaborated: “Judaism places profound emphasis on self-defense and protecting those whom we, as leaders, are assigned to protect. It is the duty of the President and those in leadership roles to protect the citizens of their country. The innocent citizens of Western countries have been repeatedly victimized by countless attacks, in both Europe and the United States. Jihadists took full advantage of our penchant for moral compassion, and unrestrained good will and noble intentions has led to atrocities. Those calling for open borders are acting irresponsibly, and seem indifferent or blind to the previous results of the ‘open borders’ they are demanding.”

In this context, it is relevant to note that Shmuly Yanklowitz, director of Uri L’Tzedek — and the majority of signatories to yesterday’s statement — are not recognized as Orthodox rabbis by any mainstream Orthodox organization. They are, instead, part of “Open Orthodoxy,” a fringe group whose leading figures routinely express views markedly at odds with basic Jewish tenets and traditional practice. Yanklowitz in particular has called parts of the Torah “evil” and recently expressed his opposition to the reading of Megillas Esther on Purim, which falls this year on Motzoei Shabbos and Sunday. Press coverage calling their words an “Orthodox statement” does a disservice to Judaism and factual accuracy.

By the way….his mother is a non-Jew. One would have to be very creative to explain why his geirus should be considered legitimate in light of his apikoros views and statements. So forget about his being Orthodox or even a Rabbi…He is a goy!

The open orthodox gang is worse than reform. These bums try to pose as Orthodox Jews while destroying Judaism. We must continue to knock them and their ilk. Many of their congregants have left the avi Weiss temple as leading Rabbonim have classified them as non orthodox. It would be a good idea to have a mass protest in riverdale at their center . Normal families will stay away from this twisted anti Torah heretical sect.

Open Orthodox leaders claim to have no indifference to goyim simply because they live in a country where Jews have never been rounded up to death by the Federal Govt. If it was not for the halachos which heavily influenced Westernization, then either we would be following the Code of Hamurabi or it would be legal to practice Molech.